LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Reader responds to recent SDN column on guns

January 30, 2014

From Darren Miller, Starkville

Dear Editor:

On the Jan. 15 editorial page, Zack Plair condemned the entire concept of concealed carry permits (CCPs) based on a recent incident in Florida, where a man, Curtis Reeves, who may have had a CCP, shot and killed another man in a movie theater. This shooting, just like any senseless act of violence, is tragic and I mourn with those affected. However, it is simply not appropriate to suggest that no one should be allowed to carry concealed weapons based on this single incident. Instead, we should look to data that represent a large group of individuals, to determine the legitimacy of states issuing CCPs. Fortunately, such data are readily available. And, unfortunately for Mr. Plair, they do not support his position.